The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, September 8. The first item on the agenda was the approval of minutes from the August 25 regular council meeting.
Parish President Ryan Seal then issued a Proclamation: Honoring the Life of Matthew Tate. Seal's emotional tribute was prefaced by referring to Mr. Tate as a "giant," "trailblazer," and one whose counsel he sought on many occasions. Present for the proclamation was Tate's widow, Rosemany, and his son Mathis. Seal noted that Mr. Tate was the first African American elected to the Parish Council and Councilman Reginald McMaster noted with a smile that he hailed from District 6, the same district McMasters now represents. Mathis Tate responded by thanking everyone and sharing his wishes that his father's legacy be remembered and that younger men and women would continue to work for the ideals Mr. Tate represented.
This was followed by a second proclamation for National Library Card Sign Up Month. With most of the library staff from across the parish on hand, Parish Library Director Sonnet Ireland first highlighted the various programs available for parish families and then introduced Emmett Guy from the Bogalusa Branch and Nikita Beauclaire who shared stories of how the library has provided services to families across the parish.
Ms. Ireland then gave a quarterly report on the library system. She is pleased that the Washington Parish Library is more than books. It provides services that save residents real money. She credits the valuable staff in the system who work tirelessly to assist patrons. Ireland then explained a new benefit. Library card holders can check out passes to museums in the state. One great value is to the World War II museum in New Orleans. Cardholders are allowed two adults and four children entrance tickets twice per year as well as viewing the movie there. This calculates to a savings of $460.
According to 2023 data, for every one dollar invested in the library, it returns $1.65 in value to the parish. Ireland gave other numbers that show the tremendous impact of the local libraries. Also, an architect is working on a plan for a branch at Angie. Fire alarms had to be replaced in Bogalusa and Franklinton and that has been a financial hit, but the staff is moving forward with great ideas. Staff were also on hand to issue library cards after the meeting. Councilman Steven Branch and his wife recently helped their grandson sign up for his first library card and they said they are excited about the possibilities ahead for the library patrons.
Next was the introduction of four proposed ordinances. First was an ordinance accepting Luna Le as a parish road. Next, there was an ordinance to grant a Predial Servitude of Way and Passage to the Washington Parish Communication District for the benefit of a 0.28-acre parcel of land including the communications tower. Third was an ordinance authoring the conveyance of immovable property owned by the Washington Parish Government including improvements, if any, being 28.228 acres, more or less, located in Section 32 Township 3 South, Range 12 East in Washington Parish, Louisiana, and authorizing the Washington Parish President to sign any and all documents necessary to accomplish this act of sale. The final introduction of an ordinance is to amend the 2025 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government. All three ordinances will be voted upon by the Council following a public hearing on Monday, September 22..
In public participation, Penny Moses from Angie is a Board Member for the Washington Parish Library. She lauded the library system and the various branches. She shared with the Council that as it nominates and votes for library board members, the need is for consistency, dedication and someone who wants to be at bimonthly meetings instead of stagnating what needs to be done. She urged councilmen to look in their district for worthy candidates for the board. Currently, she said, there is one opening on the board and a few "stagnants" that need to be addressed. Councilman McMasters asked for attendance records in order to determine where changes are needed. Council President Kim Wagner added that the Council is happy to mediate with boards where there may be issues.
Next, Councilman Joe Culpepper read the Sheriff's report in his absence. With 144 beds, the jail currently houses 263 inmates with 105 who should be housed with the Department of Corrections. The seller of property for a new jail wants double the appraised value so that is being worked on. The department is also constantly working on responses to schools in case of a matter that requires law enforcement.
In the President's Report, Finance Director Lacy Burris shared a major fund budget through August 31. The balance of some funds is lower than projected. Sales tax collections are down 15 percent compared to 2024; however, last year some collections were one-time payments. On a positive note, expenses are lower in 2025 versus 2024. An amended budget will be presented for approval at the next meeting.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported that in the month of August, work completed included drainage projects on 34 roads, 12 culverts were installed, 57 roads were graded, 183 roads were bushhogged for 326 miles, 183 bags of litter were collected on 20 roads, 21 signs were installed on 11 roads, and 7 locations were cleaned and cut. Sumrall added that in the permit office in August, permits were issued for new constructions, 15 mobile homes, 5 remodels,73 polebarns/shops and 3 portable sheds.
President Seal attended the Opening of Court ceremony in St. Tammany Parish and heard a report on the 22nd Judicial District that serves Washington and St. Tammany parishes. This district is currently second in the state for cases filed yet fewer judges. He also spoke with an Outdoor Hospitality group and what they do. There were lots of innovative ideas from representatives from around the country. Early voting will be September 27 through October 10 and four renewals that are critical to Washington Parish will be on the ballot. Seal issued condolences to the family of Mary Crain, wife of retired Judge Hillary Crain and mother of Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Will Crain. Seal reported that an environmental consultant gave an "all good" report for Washington Parish following the recent explosion in Roseland.
The next meeting will be held on September 22.
